Veiled Fairy Cake (Hebeloma mesophaeum) is an uncommon woodland mushroom that grows beneath pine trees, often in large clusters. The attractive generic name Veiled Fairy Cake is a misnomer because this mushroom is classified as a poisonous species and can cause very unpleasant symptoms. The Latin name mesophaeum helps with identification since it means dusky-centered, describing the dark center of this mushroom's cap.
Cap Diameter:
2 - 5 cm
Odor:
Mild radish-like or nondescript.
In This Article
Attributes
Toxicity and Edibility
Similar Species
Tips for Finding
Clean and Preserve
Common Questions
General Info About Veiled Fairy Cake
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Attributes of Veiled Fairy Cake
Cap Diameter
2 - 5 cm
Height
4 - 9 cm
Cap
Cap 2 - 7 cm across; convex, broadly bell-shaped, or nearly flat; brown
Cap Shape
Convex, Flat, Depressed, Bell-shaped
Cap Surfaces
Smooth, Slimy or slightly sticky
Gills
Adnate; close, crowded; creamy or faintly pinkish, brownish
Gill Attachment
Notched
Stem
Stem 2 - 9 cm long, 1 cm thick; whitish, brown
Stem Shapes
Cylindrical
Stem Surfaces
Smooth to slightly fibrous
Stem Cross Sections
Hollow or cottony hollow
Flesh
Whitish
Ring
With Ring Zone
Spore Print Color
Brown to pinkish brown
Odor
Mild radish-like or nondescript.
Body Color
Brown
White
Pink
Flesh Bruises
The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.
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Is Veiled Fairy Cake Toxic?
Several species in the Hebeloma genus are known to be seriously poisonous, and veiled Fairy Cake is also considered inedible and probably dangerous as well. The mushroom, characterized by a brown to pinkish cap, radish-like odor, and a veil, is often found in association with various conifers across North America. Although specific toxins haven't been identified, its potential toxicity, coupled with the fact that it shares habitats with many edible mushrooms, calls for extreme caution.
